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Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Poultry farmers warned amid Avian Influenza spread
Backyard flocks are especially vulnerable
Mar. 20, 2022 1:41 pm
4-H’ers with poultry flocks of any size play a critical part in protecting all poultry, and should be taking biosecurity measures seriously as Avian Influenza spreads in the United States. Now is the time to make sure your family are taking the proper steps.
Some biosecurity basics include:
- Keep visitors to a minimum. Only allow those people who take care of your poultry to come in contact with your birds, this includes family and friends. Keep track of everyone who is on your property at all times, and make sure everyone who has contact with your flock follows biosecurity principles.
- Wash your hands before and after coming in contact with live poultry. In addition to potentially spreading disease from farm to farm or bird to bird, you can also spread germs such as Salmonella that can impact human health. Soap and water are always the first choice, but if using a hand sanitizer, first remove manure, feathers, and other materials from your hands because disinfectants will not penetrate organic matter or caked-on dirt.
- Provide disposable boot covers (preferred) and/or disinfectant footbaths for anyone having contact with your flock. If using a footbath, be sure to remove all droppings, mud or debris from boots and shoes using a long-handled scrub brush before stepping into the disinfectant footbath, and always keep it clean.
- Change clothes before entering poultry areas and before exiting the property.
- Visitors should wear protective outer garments or disposable coveralls, boots, and headgear when handling birds, along with showering and/or changing clothes when leaving the facility.
- Clean and disinfect tools or equipment before moving them to a new poultry facility. Before allowing service vehicles, trucks, tractors, or tools and equipment — including egg flats and cases that have come in contact with birds or their droppings — to exit the property, make sure they are cleaned and disinfected to prevent contaminated equipment from transporting disease. Do not move or reuse items that cannot be cleaned and disinfected — such as cardboard egg flats.
- Look for signs of illness. Know the warning signs of infectious bird diseases.
- Report sick birds. Don’t wait. If your birds are sick or dying, call a local veterinarian, cooperative extensive service, or state veterinarian. Call USDA toll-free at 1-866-536-7593.
